MEMOIR OF PENNANT. 
7 
diately suggested, he thus expresses himself : “ At 
a time when the study of natural histoiy seems to 
revive in Europe, and the pens of several illustrious 
foreigners have been employed in enumerating the 
productions of their respective countries, we are un- 
willing that our own island should remain insensible 
to its particular advantages. We are desirous of di- 
verting the astonishment of our countrymen at the 
gifts of nature bestowed on other kingdoms, to a 
contemplation of those with which (at least with 
equal bounty) she has enriched our own. Why, 
then, should we neglect inquiring into the various 
benefits that result from the wisdom of our Creator, 
which his divine munificence has so liberally and so 
immediately placed before us?” In 1761, his first 
work, the British Zoology, was commenced, and up- 
on a large scale. When completed, it contained 
132 folio plates. This afterwards went through 
many smaller editions ; and supplemental volumes 
were at times added. It appears that tlie later edi- 
tions yielded some return, perhaps considerable for 
tbe period ; and although loss was sustained, from 
the expensive form of publication first employed, the 
after profits were always applied to some charitable 
institution. He tells us at one part of his literary 
life, “ Mr Benjamin White paid me £100 for per- 
mission to publish an octavo edition, which I imme- 
diately vested in the Welsh Charity School.” Latin 
and German editions, with the plates, were also pub- 
lished abroad. 
